Category: black-experience

Typically when I do an interview, I try to do it in a place that seems to be tailormade for the occasion. Whether it’s a studio, stage or an office space, it always seems to work out.

However this time around, I felt like I needed to switch things up a bit and figuring that I was about meet with an artist who goes against the grain, it was the perfect time. This gave me an excuse to break my diet, and hit one of my favorite burger spots on the east coast. I’ll leave it up to you all to figure out which place that is.

Just recently, I had a chance to sit down and eat with one of the most groovy, hip-hop artist around right now, Premo Rice. Since I review music for a living, I’m always looking for new artists and songs to check out. Since my friends know this, my inbox is constantly full with new music suggestions.

One day, as I was scrolling through my messages, I saw this track that my buddy Grayson sent to me. I trust Grayson’s taste, so I clicked on it and right away, this hard- hitting bass line begins to blast through my speakers. I was so stunned by it’s sheer smoothness that I had to start it over right away.

It didn’t take me long to figure out that Premo has a phenomenal ability to create a vibe. You can hear a high influence of 1970s R&B in his discography, especially in reference to the song titled, “Player’s Anthem 2018.” Premo’s flow fits the track like a glove. He approaches his pieces with an evident sense of control and command. Rhythmically, he is completely unorthodox and doesn’t follow the standard vocal pattern that you may expect.

“When I was younger, I used to play percussion, and I was like nice,” Premo told me. I was not surprised at all, as his rhythmic control had already seemed to be trained and easily executed.

Premo and I began to speak about performing live, as we had both just recently come off headlining our own shows. He recently performed to a packed house in Memphis, as he let me know his fan base is heavy in the south.

When asked, “What is the key to accumulating a dedicated fan base besides obviously creating good music?,” he asserted that keeping a healthy and steady relationship with his listeners is always key. He also said that a lot of people get distracted by trying to be too separated from their “fans.”

Premo’s intelligence was evident during our discussions as we delved into a bevy of topics including: writing, the importance of studying your craft, and obviously, music.

Be sure to check out our full video discussion in the upcoming weeks! You can follow Premo on Social media @premorice.

Continuing the tradition of giving to mothers who have lost children to violence, A Mother’s Cry recently held their 11th Annual Thanksgiving Event at the Lillian Jones building located at 1303 Greenmount Avenue in Baltimore.

More than 100 women impacted by violence were given all the trimmings for a Thanksgiving meal and served dinner. The event was organized by Millie Brown, founder of A Mother’s Cry.

“More than 100 hundred women— all who have been impacted by the violence on our streets attended this event,” said Brown. “Others who were in attendance came to support them. We also fed and gave food to those who needed some help for the holiday.”

Craig Wolf, who ran an unsuccessful bid for Maryland Attorney General, was among those who attended the event.

“It was such a beautiful event,” said Brown. “Mr. Wolf and his family were very passionate about saving lives and trying the comfort the survivors.”

According to Brown, donations came from a variety of sources, including Giant Food, the Wolf family, and a donor who requested anonymity.

“In addition, Under Armour donated certificates for turkeys and groceries,” said Brown. “Johns Hopkins’ Catering department donated the hot food that was served, which they do each year.”

Brown’s son, Will Brown, is an artist, and has been giving mothers portraits of their children since she founded A Mother’s Cry 11 years ago.

“They can look at those portraits, which gives them a part of their lost child,” said Brown. “It goes beyond a plate of food. It means so much to the mothers after losing their child.”

She added, “We are looking for funding to help buy supplies to keep pace with the many portraits my son has to paint.”

A Mother’s Cry is a local group that supports mothers who have lost children to violence.

Courtesy Photo

Artist Will Brown holding two-year-old Ta’liya Fleming, who has lost three godbrothers to gun violence. She loves Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Millie Brown holds the paintings her son created for her.

“I started having events,” said Brown. “I would have events on Mother’s Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving and other holidays to get the mothers together to let them know they are not alone. I started asking for donations to give to the mothers. I have never asked for money – only gifts, which have come in a variety of forms, including manicures, pedicures, gift cards, dinner, appliances, jewelry, flat screen televisions, and tickets to shows.”

Brown, who is the recipient of numerous awards for her work with the group, said her annual Christmas event for the mothers will be held at the Under Armour House located on 1100 Fayette Street in December.

For more information about “A Mother’s Cry,” or to find out how you can help, call: 443-303-6289 or email: brownmillie98@gmail.com.

As a young kid, I was never very picky about things. Tuna sandwich for lunch? Cool. Heading to the park today? Great! We’re going to Disney World? Awesome! I was pretty much a go with the flow kind of guy— easy to satisfy and hard to disappoint.

Nowadays, I wish I could say the same, but after a recent experience, I know that it isn’t going to be easy.

I’ve been listening to Travis Scott for quite some time now. My opinions about him and his music have differed over the years, but his last two solo projects have impressed me. He has truly showed his artistic and creative abilities. His use of voice variations, vocal effects, and sudden production changes all lead to this one of a kind sound that people have grown to yearn for.

Because of these things, Travis has gained mega star status, and has consistently drawn large audiences to his live performances. Many people in my circle have attended his concerts over the years have all described them as crazy, fun and full of energy. However, that pretty much describes any situation where you would have tens of thousands of millennials in one place. Nonetheless, I decided to see for myself.

Travis Scott’s Astroworld Tour kicked off right here in downtown Baltimore on November 8, 2018. One of my friends, Kendall, had four tickets to the show, and I was one of those of lucky four!

I didn’t know how much of a ride we would be in for. As we walked into the arena there wasn’t an immense amount of energy in the air. People seemed “relaxed” and ready for a good show.

The most adrenaline-rushing thing I saw on the way to my seat was a guy who almost dropped his popcorn and caught it before it hit the ground— it was quite the catch.

After a slew of popular opening acts such as: “Sheck Wes,” “Trippie Redd,” and “Gunna,” everyone in the crowd was ready for the main event. As soon as the lights went back down, everyone in the arena stood up and this very colorful but almost dark video with a very psychedelic feel began to play, as the audience was introduced to Astroworld. In the video, were several references to both Travis and the theme park and as everyone’s attention was focused on the screen— BANG on an entirely different stage at the opposite side of the arena, Travis pops up out of the ground.

Ticket holders with standing room on the floor all simultaneously ran to the other side of the arena. It was quite the spectacle.

While watching this incredibly intense performance, I noticed a large “coaster looking” object behind Travis. Before I could even blink, Travis began to walk over to it and you wouldn’t believe that it was a “miniature” upside down roller coaster.

Travis started performing while literally going upside down, riding it during one of his songs. He even let a fan get on and ride it too. The amusement park theme was in full effect.

After that, Travis disappeared for just about a minute. Where did he go, we all wondered— and BOOM there he was on the other stage in the arena. Once again, people ran towards that side of the arena. The crowd was in a frenzy and, at this point, I officially declared this to be to be the most exciting concert I had ever attended— and still it wasn’t over yet!

An even bigger roller coaster hovered over everyone, then dropped down from the ceiling and Travis strapped himself up and rode it above both stages, all while still performing!

There was never a stop in action and during the more “chill” songs a simulated skyline of Houston was shown on the circular screen going around the arena.

After all of this, all I can say is…. take me back to Astroworld!

Please join us for a day of shopping at our first annual Holiday Marketplace – Shopping Extravaganza. We are continuing in the theme of Shop Small Business Saturday to support Baltimore’s local artisians, small business owners and entrepreneurs. Our event offers something for the whole family. You’ll find one-of-a-kind and speciality gift items, face painting, the art of gift wrapping demonstrations, ideas for gifts you can make yourself, music, plenty of free parking, and so much more. This event is free and open to the public; no tickets required. Call (410) 366-3900 or email btimes@btimes.com for details or to request a vendor application (this event is not open to food vendors due to facility restrictions).

To RSVP online with us, click here!

Renowned gospel singer and 12-time Grammy Award-winner CeCe Winans is scheduled to join the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Morgan State University Choir for a rousing gospel Christmas program of holiday favorites on Friday, December 21, 2018 at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. The 8 p.m. performance promises to feature some of Winan’s biggest hits and select tunes from her brand new Christmas CD, “Something’s Happening! A Christmas Album.”

“Baltimore can come to the show expecting a great time. We’re going to have fun and sing some of the old stuff and some of the new stuff,” said Winans, whose trophy mantel also contains a staggering 23 Dove Awards and seven Stellar Awards.

Winans has also been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and has her star on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Nashville Music City Walk of Fame.

“It’ll be Christmas time— the time of year that gets me excited because it’s fun, refreshing and it comes around every year at a time when we all need it,” she said.

This is not the first time that Winans has performed in Baltimore and based on her enthusiasm for Charm City, it likely won’t be the last.

“Baltimore has supported my family and I for years,” Winans said. “You come out, you sing with us, you know the stuff and it’s like family. There’s always a smile on our faces when Baltimore is part of the plan.”

The eighth of ten siblings, Winans rose to international fame with performances and recordings with her brother, BeBe.

Their first album, “Lord Lift Us Up,” was released in 1984 and several more would follow, including the massively successful, “Different Lifestyles,” in 1991.

Winans then launched a solo career and, in 1995 released her first project without her brother called, “Alone in His Presence.” That was followed by other successful CD’s including “Everlasting Love,” “His Gift,” and “Alabaster Box,” all of which led to several gold and platinum certifications along with a Grammy and several Dove Awards.

In 2016, Winans became a member of the Artist Committee for the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors.

For her latest CD, Winans again tapped her son Alvin Love III, to produce. It features singles like “Something’s Happening,” “Giving Season,” and classics like, “Feliz Navidad,” and “Silent Night.”

“Earlier, my son produced a record that won two Grammys and we got back together to produce a Christmas album with full orchestration which I love and it’s really beautiful and lots of fun,” Winans said.

While there is lots of work involved in creating new music, Winans says she believes her career and her ministry— she pastors a church with her husband— are a calling for God.

“I’ve seen the power of music. It will help encourage you to do the right thing and encourage you to do the wrong thing when done in a negative way,” Winans said. “I’m blessed and honored to encourage people to do the right thing, and the main message for me is that Christmas is what we’re all about.

“It’s about understanding that everybody is important.”

Music has always been an integral part of Winans’ life. She began singing at the age of eight and by age 15, she was already in a recording studio making music. She also starred in her family’s television show.

“I love music and there’s so much more to do and so much more to say and that’s why we keep going,” Winans said. “There were times when I’d say, ‘I’m done.’ But, I always knew that this is what I was called to do,” she said. “It was my purpose. Even in challenging times, I know I was created to do this.

BALTIMORE — Baltimore Times Writer Imani Wj Wright sat down for a chat with 92Q Jams Host and Interviewer, Steff Skeemz for an interview in Podcast format.

Enjoy Part 1, and look out for more media with Imani on our website and youtube channel!

YouTube

SwanoDown SitDown

Baltimore Times Writer Imani Wj Wright sat down for a chat with 92Q Jams Host and Interviewer, Steff Skeemz for an interview in Podcast format.

This is Part Two of a Two-Part Series on Ramsey L. Harris, Vice President and Territory CRA Business Advisor in the Retail Lending Distribution Management division at PNC Bank.

Baltimore native Ramsey Harris had taken the advice of his grandfather Bishop Huey L. Harris, Sr., founder of Abundant Life Church in Elkton, Maryland. He had passed on an opportunity to go away to Morehouse College and instead attend Delaware State University. Remaining in close proximity to the elder Harris allowed the younger Harris to be groomed in ministry by his grandfather. It also allowed him to be in the right place at the right time to talk to a PNC Bank recruiter about promising employment opportunities.

Minister Harris would begin a successful career at PNC. However, the day would come when he would be ‘called’ back to Baltimore.

“My mom got sick,” recalled Minister Harris. “I voluntarily made the decision to make sure I came back home to take care of my mother. I asked if I could relocate, and PNC provided me with an opportunity.”

After his return to Baltimore, Minister Harris would work with Annie Spain, branch manager of PNC’s Charles Village location. Like Harris’ grandfather, Spain would also take the young Harris under her wing.

“Annie Spain was my mentor in the banking industry,” said Minister Harris. “Meeting her opened up my eyes to the possibilities of climbing the corporate ladder at PNC. She created a career pathway. I attribute my stability in the banking industry to her. She had 30-plus years in banking. She also had insight and knowledge as to what it takes for minorities to be successful in the banking industry. We also shared a commonality in ministry.”

Under Spain’s tutelage, Harris would take flight up PNC’s corporate banking ladder. Over his ten-year tenure with PNC, the 36-year-old has served in positions, which have included branch manager of PNC’s Uptown Banking Center, and as Business Banker covering branches located in both East and West Baltimore.

As Business Banker, Minister Harris advised business clients with annual revenues of up to $10 million, prospected and created new PNC customer relationships, and retained and grew existing relationships through implementation of PNC’s brand of integrated Cash Flow Optimized solutions.

Harris currently serves as Vice President and Territory CRA Business Advisor in the Retail Lending Distribution Management division at PNC Bank. Harris is responsible for overseeing executing strategic plans that enable the bank to achieve specific Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) focused goals, and measures of lending to businesses located within designated, inner-city/Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) geographies.

“It’s an opportunity to take what I was doing locally in Baltimore and expand where PNC has presence,” said Minister Harris. “I am responsible for that piece of the pie for the East Coast. PNC is looking within those states to lend to small and minority businesses. PNC’s approach is to have someone lead that charge.”

The University of Delaware graduate currently serves on several boards, which include the Pimlico Community Development Authority (PCDA). He has been a mentor/facilitator for the “Stocks in the Future” Program in conjunction and partnership with Johns Hopkins University’s School of Education. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Harris is now embarking upon the next chapter of his calling and ministry as Pastor/Founder of City Sanctuary™. This new, evangelistic church in Northeast Baltimore is preparing to launch in 2018 with an emphasis on addressing and alleviating the holistic needs of the community.

“We want to develop ministry that merges my background by establishing an actionable plan to make a difference in the lives of those in Baltimore City,” said Minister Harris. “All of what I do has everything to do with uplifting and empowering the community. My main goal is to take my knowledge and skill-set and pour that back into the community. I want to help people become homeowners and successful in business. That is part of my ministerial calling. I am called by God to merge corporate with church.”

He added, “That is what is next for me. I believe in this city, I am from this city, and God has something great for me to do here.”

Chevrolet and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) have teamed up once again for the “Discover the Unexpected” (DTU) Journalism Fellowship program. The fellowship, in its third year, gives students attending Historically, Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) the opportunity of a lifetime: an eight-week, immersive training experience with the Black Press.

The NNPA also known as the “Black Press of America,” is a trade group that represents more than 200 African American-owned media companies and newspapers in the United States.

This year, the program also features a travel journalism component when the DTU fellows (#TeamAuthentic and #TeamOptimistic) embark on a road trip in the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, filing stories along the way as they travel to their second posts and then to Detroit, Mich., for a grand finale. #TeamAuthentic will travel from Atlanta to Norfolk and #TeamOptimistic will drive from New York City to Washington, D.C.

The participating NNPA newspapers are: The Atlanta Voice (Atlanta, Ga.), The New Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), the New York Amsterdam News (New York City), and The Washington Informer (Washington, D.C.)

“Using NNPA’s professional resources and the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox’s innovative technology, DTU Fellows will share stories that shatter perceptions, jump-start their journalism careers and encourage us all to ‘Discover the Unexpected,’” according to the official NNPA DTU website.

The 2018 Discover the Unexpected journalism fellows are: Tyvan Burns of Norfolk State University; Diamond Durant of Morgan State University; Daja E. Henry of Howard University, Denver Lark of North Carolina A&T University; Natrawn Maxwell of Claflin University; and Ila Wilborn of Florida A&M University.

The 2018 DTU fellows, along with Chevrolet and NNPA publishers and editors met up in Detroit for a two-day bootcamp event, hosted at General Motors’ (GM) headquarters. The DTU fellows learned about the Chevrolet Equinox, social media from a global brand perspective, and new Chevrolet marketing campaigns. The fellows also toured the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix held at Belle Isle.

Durant, a senior at Morgan State University talked about her expectations for the NNPA’s DTU program this summer moving forward.

“I hope to really get better at writing,” Durant said. “I hope to get better at chasing stories and finding stories, sticking to stories and just getting better at being unique and being more of a team player.”

As an introduction to the program, Michelle Matthews-Alexander, Chevrolet’s Diversity Marketing Director, talked about the program’s inception.

Matthews-Alexander said that Chevrolet was interested in playing “a role in showcasing those stories that we all know exist; that we all know are happening on a day-to-day basis.”

Hip-hop pioneer and philanthropist MC Lyte returned for the third year to serve as the national spokesman for the program.

This fellowship is unique in that it partners a global auto manafacturer (Chevrolet) with a Black media organization, (NNPA), in an effort to not only expose HBCU students to the Black Press, but also to marketing and advertising roles that exist in corporate America, a space where Black professionals are often underrepresented.

“No other internship is going to have that,” said Denise Rolark-Barnes, the publisher of the The Washington Informer. “I think to have relationships with Chevy and the whole concept of discovering the unexpected allows us to define some things about Africa American history and culture.”

Ken Barrett, GM’s Chief Diversity Officer, explained why diversity is key to Chevrolet’s success. Barrett was previously the director of diversity for the United States Navy, where Admiral Mike Mullen helped him to realize that, “The less the Navy looked like America, the more disconnected, as a service, it would become.”

Barrett brought that unique perspective on diversity to his current role with GM. With his focus on diversity of thought to include different factors including gender, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation and veteran status, Barrett intends to lead the charge in a type of innovation that everyone has a stake in. The next game changer will come, he said, in “an organization that listens to all of those perspectives.”

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, the president and CEO of the NNPA, said the NNPA is pleased with its ongoing partnership with Chevrolet, especially with the NNPA DTU Journalism Fellowship program.

“We believe that the NNPA’s Discover The Unexpected Journalism Fellowship program, sponsored by Chevrolet, is vital to the future of the Black Press of America,” Dr. Chavis said. “We are enthusiastic about the 2018 DTU fellows, as each one of them respresents the best of the new generation of journalism scholars that will serve the African American community.”

Daja E. Henry (Howard University), Ila Wilborn (Florida A&M University) and Natrawn Maxwell (Claflin University) are 2018 Discover The Unexpected Journalism Fellows representing #TeamAuthentic. Follow their stories this summer at nnpa.org/dtu.

In Reservoir Hill, West Baltimore, there are open-air drug markets; shootings seem to occur more often than not; and just about every family lives below the federal poverty line. It’s also the neighborhood that was wrecked by demonstrations and riots following the death of Freddie Gray and the ever-rising theft and robbery rates keep Baltimore’s finest busy.

However, something good is happening in Reservoir Hill, something that residents and those who run the more than half-century old St. Francis Neighborhood Center call “The Miracle on Linden Avenue.”

“Our programs have helped young ones improve their grades and build pride in who they are,” said Christi Green, the executive director of the center, which has launched a capital campaign to raise $4 million to update and expand the center.

To date, center officials say they have already surpassed half the goal with $2.1 million raised with support from companies like Under Armour and foundations like the France-Merrick and Knott organizations.

Another 30 percent of the $4 million goal may come from the Weinberg Foundation, which would put the center on track to break ground in September. The center has received grant funding from the nonprofit in the past and recently applied for funds from the foundation that would cover a large portion of the remaining campaign, according to Green.

“The goal is to be debt-free, so we have to raise all the [funds]. Green said. “If Weinberg, who we have a really good relationship with, funds 30 percent, we’d have about $700,000 left [to raise]. It’s pretty exciting and I definitely think we can do it.”

Green says she feels the pressure to succeed because for decades the center’s programs have served as a vital resource and catalyst for improving the lives of individuals and families in and around Reservoir Hill.

Among those programs is an eight-week summer youth development program, which engages youth between ages five and 18 in innovative service projects aimed at alleviating issues affecting the community.

The program is free to youth and families; and runs Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with breakfast, lunch and snacks provided. Children receive customized tutoring and participate in various educational projects.

Green says the goal is to improve pre-to-post assessment scores, behavior, attendance, and to prevent summer learning loss.

The center’s summer program costs $75,000 to run while separate youth development programs have budgets of $485,000 and $320,000.

“We have a three-year wait-list for kids to come in because we don’t have enough room,” Green said. “We’ve been through a lot here with Freddie Gray, the violence, the drugs, but one thing that’s been consistent since 1963 is our presence.”

The center’s programs have paid dividends. All students in the program are now earning B averages and above and Green and other center officials say that they are beginning to dream and so are their parents.

“We can see the children and the parents striving. Because the kids are doing so well, the parents are excited, and we have two families who are buying their first home and parents are going back to school and moving out of shelters, so cool things are happening, and we’ve become this model program that’s tucked away in the heart of Reservoir Hill,” Green said.

Plans for the new structure that will result from the capital campaign include adding classrooms, an art studio, a kitchen, greening projects, multi-purpose space, expanded media lab and library.

Once completed, the center will be equipped to serve more than 200 children in its education programs— an over 100 percent increase in enrollment.

“I feel very honored to work for this neighborhood,” Green said. “I feel like it’s exceptionally friendly despite the violent crime; [and] nearly 100 percent of the people in the neighborhood want better for the neighborhood.”

For more information about the St. Frances Center or to make a donation, visit: www.st.franciscenter.org.

A ray of hope prevailed in Baltimore City as the Kennedy Krieger Institute: Center for Child and Family Traumatic Stress brought together students, trauma experts, and community groups to screen two mini-documentaries March 22, 2018 at the Parkway Theatre. About 50 persons attended.

The students from the Trauma Stress Center created the videos with the help of New Lens, “a youth-driven social justice organization that makes art and media about issues where a youth perspective can inspire change.”

Break the Chain; the first video screened showed how middle school students through the Kennedy Krieger program come together to face violence and abuse.

The video begins with the middle school film creators explaining the mission of the video. “There are a lot of events throughout this video. They might make you emotional or angry. This video shows how we come together in group therapy to face violence and abuse,” they said.

The second film, “B’more Loving” expresses the sentiments of high school students living with gun violence.

“Everyday I look at the news and because of guns…. he barely missed me,” said one of the youth about facing gun violence in her neighborhood.

Another young person said, “I lost a cousin to gun violence and it still affects me.” “Life can be taken away in a snap,” said another youth. “It upsets me, and I try to forget about it. Then, it’s like “I am used to it,” another youth said.

Crevontaye Lee, one of the high school student producers of B’more Loving, said, “We created the film to show that guns are not the answer.”

After the video screenings, the creators of “B’more Loving” served on the first panel. Erricka Bridgeford of Baltimore Cease Fire; and James Timpson, of Safe Streets spoke of their organizations’ efforts to stem violence on the second panel.

Safe Streets is a City of Baltimore program that puts savvy street mediators in marginalized unsafe communities to prevent violence and to avoid police intervention. Erricka Bridgeford, director of the nonprofit Community Mediation program, created Baltimore Cease Fire to appeal for the end of gun violence murders over a 72-hour weekend. The program runs periodically.

Both panelists used colorful, audience-appealing language to describe their missions. Timmons talked of “thug recovery” and Bridgeford,” described the “Huxtables of the ghetto” using Bill Cosby’s television family sit-com.

Sarah Davis, a Kennedy Krieger Institute trauma therapist, who helped the youth pull together the video, defined violence as “an intentional act to cause harm to other people.”

Dr. Elizabeth Thompson, Assistant Vice President, and Director of the Kennedy Krieger Institute: Center for Child and Family Traumatic Stress underlined the mission and her passion for the work.

“We desire to provide high-quality treatment to underserved, and under-resourced youth to facilitate better-coping strategies,” Dr. Thompson said. “Traumatic stress is a significant event that happens to a child that overwhelms their psychological or physical ability to cope.”

Youth and parents in need of the Center’s services, should contact the intake coordinator at 443-923-5980 or email: Diggs@KennedyKrieger.org.